Tyson Fury gives Anthony Joshua deadline for title fight

Tyson Fury has set Anthony Joshua a deadline of Monday to sign a contract for their fight - or forget about facing him for the world heavyweight title.

Negotiations between the fighters' camps have been rumbling on for several weeks and it seemed Joshua agreed to a 60-40 purse split in Fury's favour for the all-British blockbuster bout, set to be held before the end of the year.

Fury's promoter Frank Warren said last week a contract had been sent to Joshua's camp, with Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn then revealing there were still some minor terms to be resolved.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Joshua insisted he will sign the contracts. "I've been signing contracts for years. It ain't in my hands, it is with the legal team, that's why you hire lawyers." 

Fury was ringside for the fight between Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker at Manchester's AO Arena on Saturday night, and criticised Joshua and his camp.

"They had had the opportunity to agree to this fight for about a month. They have had the contract for over a week, still not signed, still a few more excuses they are going to come back with," Fury said to BT Sport.

"We will know more on Monday, I think. The two broadcasters are going to meet up and then we will know from there.

"They either want to do it or they don't. If they do, sign the contract, if they don't then do one."

Fury added: "This is the fight I have been trying to make since 2017 and been unsuccessful every single time.

"I was optimistic three or four weeks ago that the fight might happen. Today, I am not very optimistic.

"I am definitely fighting on that date scheduled December 3, whoever it may be, I don't really care. I will knock them all out anyway."

Warren is hopeful a deal can be done to make the fight happen.

He said on BT Sport Box Office: "There is a meeting taking place on Monday and I am hoping that is going to resolve what I feel is just a few outstanding issues, not for us, but it seems for them.

"Let's hope they are good as their word and they don't duck out of it."

Warren added in a video on Queensberry Promotions Twitter feed: "There is a lot of things (which have) been addressed and agreed.

"I think it is just one or two issues at the moment, which I am quite sure can be overcome. It is still alive and while it is alive, it is good."